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MYSOREMysore is the second largest city in the state of Karnataka. The city is situated at the base of Chamundi Hills and is famous for the Dussehra celebrations during which a large number of tourists visit the city.
Hindu mythology says that Mysore was ruled by Mahishasura a demon who was later on killed by Goddess Chamundeshwari. Till the 15th century, the area where Mysore stands today, was known as Puragere. The fort was constructed in the year 1524 by Chamaraja Wodeyar III.
Mysore city is the cultural capital of Karnataka. Dussehra is the most important festival of the city and this festival is celebrated for a period of 10 days. Started by King Raja Wodeyar I in the year 1610, the ninth day of the celebration is known as Mahanavami and the imperial sword is worshiped on this day. Processions constituting ornamented elephants, camels and horses are taken out.
The style of painting prevalent is an outgrowth of the Vijayanagar school of painting. The typical characteristic of these paintings is the plaster of Paris work in which gold hydrofoils are pasted.
Mysore is also known as City of Palaces. There are a large number of palaces around the city to be visited. The most famous attraction of Mysore is the Mysore Palace, which is best visited during the evening, when the whole palace is lit up with sparkling lights. The famous Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion is now being converted into a museum and is dedicated to folk culture.
One of the most magnificent buildings located in the heart of the city is the Mysore Palace. Spacious halls called Mantaps can be seen in the Palace. Paintings and architectural beauty décor the hall. The palace is a fantabulous assemblage of Indo-Saracen architecture.
The palace gives a clean evidence that a royal structure existed during the period of Yaduraya and Krishnaraya when they came to Mysore in 1399 AD.
The palace is open to visitors every day from 10 am to 5.30 pm. A charge of Rs 15 is made per head. The palace is illuminated from 7 pm to 8 pm on Sundays including public holidays and also during all the ten days of the Dussehra celebrations.
Brindavan Gardens is one of the most beautiful gardens in Mysore and a center of tourist attraction. This garden was constructed during the period of Krishnaraja Wodeyar. It is built across the Cauvery river and below the Krishnarajasagar dam.
The garden is decorated with huge lawns and various kaleidoscopical courses of flowers. The main attractive feature of the garden is the ‘dancing fountain’.
The garden can be visited at any time from 7 am to 8 pm on all days. The lighting of the garden during Dussehra is done every day and on other days from 7 pm to 8.45 pm.
Chamundeswari Temple
The Chamundeswari Temple is situated on a hill in the neighborhood of Mysore. Krishnaraja III during the latter part of the 18th century built this temple tower. He gifted the Nakshatramalika jewel which has Sanskrit poesies engraved on it.
The temple is adorned with various epitomes of Nandi. The colossal Nandi is 15 feet wide and 24 feet long and was made during the reign of Dodda Devaraja. It also has a seven floor ‘gopuram’. The idol of the Goddess is made of gold and the entrance with shinning silver. The dumbfounding construction appeals to the visitors’ aesthetic senses.
St Philomena's Church
Gumbaz is the burial chamber of Tipu Sultan, his father Haider Ali and mother Fatima Begum.
It is built on a lifted platform and is circumvented by various other tombs of his relatives and nobles.
The Gumbaz has magnificent ebony doors decorated with ivory which was presented by Lord Dalhousie.
The interior walls are covered with lacquer Tiger stripes which is Tipu's favourite. A corridor lined by pillar
s of black amphibole walls Gumbaz.
Masjid-e-aksa a mosque is situated next to the Gumbaz. The Gumbaz is surrounded by a beautiful gardens
adds to its beauty.
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This church was built to honor St Philomena and thus it got its name. The Maharaja of Mysore laid the foundation
stone for the church in the year 1933. The followed the Neo Gothic style of architecture. The Cologne
Cathedral was the inspiration of the Church.
The church was planned by Daly a Frenchman. The congregation hall is called the nave. The two steeples of
The church was planned by Daly a Frenchman. The congregation hall is called the nave. The two steeples of
the church are 53 meters in height. The main hall can hold a capacity of 800 people. The windows depict the
birth of Christ and the important events in his life.
The cathedral is open from 5 am to 6 pm and no entrance fee is charged.
The cathedral is open from 5 am to 6 pm and no entrance fee is charged.
Srirangapatna fort, also called as Tipu’s palace is one of the most popular monuments in India.
The architecture of the palace is a mix of Indo-Islamic style and the huge Persian inscription on the
entrance gate embodies the date on which the fort was constructed, i.e 1537. This fort has ‘Lal Mahal’
which was the then residence of the most audacious king of Mysore, Tipu Sultan.
The fort was built in a double wall defense system and has four entrances, namely – Delhi, Bangalore,
Mysore & Water and Elephant gates. The two dungeons located at the lower chambers of the fort are
a must visit. These dungeons were used to detain the British soldiers who were arrested. Srirangapatna
Fort also houses a mosque and the Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna, that is famous
for its gopuram and thick fort-like walls.
Various paintings like ‘The storming of Seringapattam’ by Sir Robert Ker can be found on the walls.
The paintings depicting the glorious victory of Tipu Sultan over British, also adorn the walls. Do not miss
to see the Chaturvimsati pillars that
bore carvings of 24 forms of Vishnu, at the inner entrance of the fort. The tomb of Tipu Sultan can be
found in the vicinity of the fort.
The fort is scenically located on an island formed by the river Cauvery. On your visit to Mysore,
one must definitely visit this fort which is an emblem of history and culture that lived and flourished
during the glorious times of Tipu Sultan.
